Isla Taboga, aka Island of Flowers, is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Panama that has become a bustling tourist destination. Local companies provide hiking, nature walk, snorkeling, sightseeing, whale watching and fishing tours. The island has beautiful beaches, but Isla Contadora, Playa Bonita and Play Veracruz are a couple alternative spots to go.9601280

Isla Taboga, aka Island of Flowers, is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Panama that has become a bustling tourist destination. Local companies provide hiking, nature walk, snorkeling, sightseeing, whale watching and fishing tours. The island has beautiful beaches, but Isla Contadora, Playa Bonita and Play Veracruz are a couple alternative spots to go.

Adam Reeder, Flickr

Metropolitan Cathedral Casco Viejo

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Located in Panama City’s suburb of Casco Viejo, the Metropolitan Cathedral -- built between 1688 and 1796 -- is an example of the country’s religious colonial architecture. After a $4 million dollar renovation in 2004, the cathedral will be remodeled to house a museum that will follow the construction, function and future of the Panama Canal.9601280

Located in Panama City’s suburb of Casco Viejo, the Metropolitan Cathedral -- built between 1688 and 1796 -- is an example of the country’s religious colonial architecture. After a $4 million dollar renovation in 2004, the cathedral will be remodeled to house a museum that will follow the construction, function and future of the Panama Canal.

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Panama Canal

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Completed in 1914, the 48-mile long Panama Canal is a major international trade route, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. So it’s no surprise that the American Society of Civil Engineers declared the canal one of the seven wonders of the modern world.9601280

Completed in 1914, the 48-mile long Panama Canal is a major international trade route, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. So it’s no surprise that the American Society of Civil Engineers declared the canal one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

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Plaza de Francia

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Take a stroll around Plaza de Francia while chomping on a raspado or Sno-cone. Toursists should head down Calle 1a. It turns into the lovely Paseo Esteban Huertas, a walkway on top of las bovedas (the vaults), which originally functioned as a Spanish dungeon and later as a jail, storehouse and offices.9601280

Take a stroll around Plaza de Francia while chomping on a raspado or Sno-cone. Toursists should head down Calle 1a. It turns into the lovely Paseo Esteban Huertas, a walkway on top of las bovedas (the vaults), which originally functioned as a Spanish dungeon and later as a jail, storehouse and offices.

Daniel Escobar Paz, Flickr

La Piedra Pintada

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Hop on a bus in Panama City to visit La Piedra Pintada, a 15-foot boulder with ancient petroglyphs carved underneath it. It’s a simple remnant of El Valle’s pre-Columbian culture, and a great spot for history buffs.9601280

Hop on a bus in Panama City to visit La Piedra Pintada, a 15-foot boulder with ancient petroglyphs carved underneath it. It’s a simple remnant of El Valle’s pre-Columbian culture, and a great spot for history buffs.

Hector Romero, Flickr

Downtown Panama City

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Panama City is the capital and the largest city in Panama. A political, administrative, international and commerce hub for the country, Panama City is also the largest city in Panama. The city has a dense skyline of mostly high-rise buildings, surrounded by a large belt of tropical rainforest.9601280

Panama City is the capital and the largest city in Panama. A political, administrative, international and commerce hub for the country, Panama City is also the largest city in Panama. The city has a dense skyline of mostly high-rise buildings, surrounded by a large belt of tropical rainforest.

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Monkey Island

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Take an eco-friendly journey along the Panama Canal with stops in Sounds of Silence and Monkey Island (pictured), where tourists can see 4 different species of monkeys and other wildlife, all within 40 minutes of Panama City.9601280

Take an eco-friendly journey along the Panama Canal with stops in Sounds of Silence and Monkey Island (pictured), where tourists can see 4 different species of monkeys and other wildlife, all within 40 minutes of Panama City.

Thinkstock

Plaza Bolivar

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Surrounded by 19th-century architecture, Plaza Bolivar is a great spot for locals and tourists to congregate for drinks and dinner at various cafes located around this popular social spot. Street musicians perform tips near a monument built to honor Venezuelan general Simon Bolivar -- located in the center of the plaza.9601280

Surrounded by 19th-century architecture, Plaza Bolivar is a great spot for locals and tourists to congregate for drinks and dinner at various cafes located around this popular social spot. Street musicians perform tips near a monument built to honor Venezuelan general Simon Bolivar -- located in the center of the plaza.

whl.travel, flickr

Albrook Mall

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Albrook Mall is the largest amusement mall in Panama. The magical atmosphere -- filled with balloons, bright decorations, music, an Italian carousel and more than 400 stores -- is perfect for the whole family. Artesanias Panama Bahia, Flory Saltzman Molas, Avenida Central Mall, Galeria Arte Indigena and La Ronda are a few other spots to shop in Panama City.9601280

Albrook Mall is the largest amusement mall in Panama. The magical atmosphere -- filled with balloons, bright decorations, music, an Italian carousel and more than 400 stores -- is perfect for the whole family. Artesanias Panama Bahia, Flory Saltzman Molas, Avenida Central Mall, Galeria Arte Indigena and La Ronda are a few other spots to shop in Panama City.

Rogelio, Flickr

Ceviche

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La Marea, Segundo Muelle, Ego, Machu Pichu and Mercado de Marisco are all restaurants to sample delicious ceviche. Panamanian ceviche is usually made with Squid, shrimp, octopus, lemon juice, chopped onion, celery, habanero pepper and sea salt. Most local restaurants serve ceviche de corvine (white sea bass) as an appetizer.9601280

La Marea, Segundo Muelle, Ego, Machu Pichu and Mercado de Marisco are all restaurants to sample delicious ceviche. Panamanian ceviche is usually made with Squid, shrimp, octopus, lemon juice, chopped onion, celery, habanero pepper and sea salt. Most local restaurants serve ceviche de corvine (white sea bass) as an appetizer.

Carlos Casas, Flickr

Los Diablicos

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Part of Panama’s rich culture and folklore, the Diablicos Sucios is a religious-themed celebration that often includes a lively devil dance that portrays the age-old battle between good and evil. Dancers, donned in devil masks and multi-colored clothing, usually perform the devil dance as a method religious conversion.9601280

Part of Panama’s rich culture and folklore, the Diablicos Sucios is a religious-themed celebration that often includes a lively devil dance that portrays the age-old battle between good and evil. Dancers, donned in devil masks and multi-colored clothing, usually perform the devil dance as a method religious conversion.

Darien Montanez, Flickr

El Nispero Zoo

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El Nispero is not your typical zoo. Most of the animals found here are former pets that were donated or confiscated from their owners by government authorities. Tapirs, collared peccaries (wild pigs), jaguars, white-face capuchin monkeys, macaws, Asian golden pheasants and white peacocks are just a few animals tourists will spot while taking a leisurely stroll through this zoo.9601280

El Nispero is not your typical zoo. Most of the animals found here are former pets that were donated or confiscated from their owners by government authorities. Tapirs, collared peccaries (wild pigs), jaguars, white-face capuchin monkeys, macaws, Asian golden pheasants and white peacocks are just a few animals tourists will spot while taking a leisurely stroll through this zoo.

Orban Lopez Cruz, Flickr

Chorro de Macho

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Take a canopy tour over 85-foot tall Chorro El Macho, the most famous waterfall in El Valle. If a zip-line tour isn’t your thing, then we recommend a hike along the trails in the surrounding forest near the falls or taking a dip in the swimming pool located at the base of the towering waterfall.9601280

Take a canopy tour over 85-foot tall Chorro El Macho, the most famous waterfall in El Valle. If a zip-line tour isn’t your thing, then we recommend a hike along the trails in the surrounding forest near the falls or taking a dip in the swimming pool located at the base of the towering waterfall.

Chuck Holton, Flickr

Sancocho

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Sancocho de gallina is Panama’s national dish. It’s made with chicken, cilantro, yuca, mazorca and otoe. Yellow squash is added to create a regional version of the dish called Sancocho chiricano. Rumor has it that this delicious dish is not only used as a metaphor for the country’s racial diversity, but it’s also a great remedy for a hangover.9601280

Sancocho de gallina is Panama’s national dish. It’s made with chicken, cilantro, yuca, mazorca and otoe. Yellow squash is added to create a regional version of the dish called Sancocho chiricano. Rumor has it that this delicious dish is not only used as a metaphor for the country’s racial diversity, but it’s also a great remedy for a hangover.

remo del orbe, Flickr

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Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize’s oldest marine reserve. This tourist attraction is a must for snorkelers and divers who want to experience diverse marine life -- 160 species of fish, 40 species of coral, 4 sponges, 2 species of seagrass, 3 marine mammals and 3 species of sea turtles -- including this green turtle seen here. 9601280

Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize’s oldest marine reserve. This tourist attraction is a must for snorkelers and divers who want to experience diverse marine life -- 160 species of fish, 40 species of coral, 4 sponges, 2 species of seagrass, 3 marine mammals and 3 species of sea turtles -- including this green turtle seen here.

Snorkelingdives.com, flickr

Cahal Pech Archaeological Site

Cahal Pech Archaeological Site

Sitting high atop a hill near San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is the oldest-known Mayan site in the Belize River valley. We recommend visitors walk around the interconnected, excavated and resorted plazas and temples abandoned around 850, A.D. Don’t skip over Plaza B; it’s the largest and most impressive complex.9601280

Sitting high atop a hill near San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is the oldest-known Mayan site in the Belize River valley. We recommend visitors walk around the interconnected, excavated and resorted plazas and temples abandoned around 850, A.D. Don’t skip over Plaza B; it’s the largest and most impressive complex.

Thomas Shahan, flickr

San Pedro

San Pedro

Tourists flock to San Pedro because it’s known as a <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/top-5-adventures-in-belize-11987">sun-and-fun destination</a>, attracting scuba divers, fishermen, snowbirds, expatriates and retirees. Downtown, in this slow-paced city, is compact mixture of hotels, souvenir shops, restaurants, dive shops and tour agencies. Because San Pedro isn’t a big city, pedestrians strolling along its streets may be forced to the side of the road by cars and yes, golf carts. 9601280

Tourists flock to San Pedro because it’s known as a <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/top-5-adventures-in-belize-11987">sun-and-fun destination</a>, attracting scuba divers, fishermen, snowbirds, expatriates and retirees. Downtown, in this slow-paced city, is compact mixture of hotels, souvenir shops, restaurants, dive shops and tour agencies. Because San Pedro isn’t a big city, pedestrians strolling along its streets may be forced to the side of the road by cars and yes, golf carts.

Panoramic Images/ Getty Images

Xunantunich

Xunantunich

Once a ceremonial center, Xunantunich means “stone woman,” referring to the ghost of a woman whom several people claim they’ve seen lurking around the popular tourist destination since 1892. If ghost hunting isn’t your thing, then we suggest climbing to the top of the ridge of this amazing Mayan archeology site for a great view of the border shared with Guatemala.9601280

Once a ceremonial center, Xunantunich means “stone woman,” referring to the ghost of a woman whom several people claim they’ve seen lurking around the popular tourist destination since 1892. If ghost hunting isn’t your thing, then we suggest climbing to the top of the ridge of this amazing Mayan archeology site for a great view of the border shared with Guatemala.

Ian Mackenzie, flickr

Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley

Considered part of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley was once the place where fishermen would clean their catch, which naturally attracted stingrays and nurse sharks. Today, tourists -- with supervision from a dive master -- can snorkel and swim beside stingrays, turtles and gentle nurse sharks that average 4 to 6 feet in length. Take your disposable underwater camera for a great photo op.9601280

Considered part of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley was once the place where fishermen would clean their catch, which naturally attracted stingrays and nurse sharks. Today, tourists -- with supervision from a dive master -- can snorkel and swim beside stingrays, turtles and gentle nurse sharks that average 4 to 6 feet in length. Take your disposable underwater camera for a great photo op.

iStock

Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek

Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek

Take a 10-minute tour at the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek, rated “Top Belize Resort” by the Belize Tourism Board. Observe the beautiful “Belizean Blue” during every stage of their life cycle. A hat, water, insect repellant, camera and raingear (if needed), are a few suggested items to take on this fun nature trek.9601280

Take a 10-minute tour at the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek, rated “Top Belize Resort” by the Belize Tourism Board. Observe the beautiful “Belizean Blue” during every stage of their life cycle. A hat, water, insect repellant, camera and raingear (if needed), are a few suggested items to take on this fun nature trek.

Getty Images

Belize Zoo

Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, located in Belmopan, is 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits with more than 150 animals, representing 45 species native to Belize. The zoo is home to animals rescued, orphaned, born at the zoo, rehabilitated and sent to the zoo as donations from other zoological institutions. More than 54,000 people visit the zoo each year. If you time your visit right, you may get to celebrate special birthdays for April the Tapir, Junior Buddy the Jaguar and Panama the Harpy Eagle.9601280

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, located in Belmopan, is 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits with more than 150 animals, representing 45 species native to Belize. The zoo is home to animals rescued, orphaned, born at the zoo, rehabilitated and sent to the zoo as donations from other zoological institutions. More than 54,000 people visit the zoo each year. If you time your visit right, you may get to celebrate special birthdays for April the Tapir, Junior Buddy the Jaguar and Panama the Harpy Eagle.

Adalberto Vega, flickr

Belize City

Belize City

With a population of almost 80,000, <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/daily-escape/royal-belize">Belize City</a> is the largest city in Belize. It is the country’s principal port and its financial and industrial hub. The city is also a popular port of call for several cruise ships. Belize City was the capital of British Honduras (as Belize was then known) until the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan in 1970. 9601280

With a population of almost 80,000, <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/daily-escape/royal-belize">Belize City</a> is the largest city in Belize. It is the country’s principal port and its financial and industrial hub. The city is also a popular port of call for several cruise ships. Belize City was the capital of British Honduras (as Belize was then known) until the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan in 1970.

Sgoodwin4813/ iStock/ Thinkstock

Belize City Tour

Belize City Tour

Don’t miss out on spending a day or 2 in this historic capital city. Belize City is composed of beautiful colonial houses, seaside parks, bustling shopping centers and great places to eat and stay along Haulover Creek. The Swing Bridge, which crosses Haulover Creek to link Albert Street with Queen Street, is the hub of the city and, some say, the heart of Belize itself.9601280

Don’t miss out on spending a day or 2 in this historic capital city. Belize City is composed of beautiful colonial houses, seaside parks, bustling shopping centers and great places to eat and stay along Haulover Creek. The Swing Bridge, which crosses Haulover Creek to link Albert Street with Queen Street, is the hub of the city and, some say, the heart of Belize itself.

Cave Tubbing at Jaguar Paw

Cave Tubbing at Jaguar Paw

Head for adventure in Belize! Go cave tubing at Jaguar Paw in Belmopan. Float down the river on an inner tube with only a headlamp to light your way. This journey through an underground cave system requires visitors to maneuver around stalagmites jutting from the river and stalactites looming from above.9601280

Head for adventure in Belize! Go cave tubing at Jaguar Paw in Belmopan. Float down the river on an inner tube with only a headlamp to light your way. This journey through an underground cave system requires visitors to maneuver around stalagmites jutting from the river and stalactites looming from above.